Patent · US Expired

Non-planar fresnel reflector arrays, mold structures and mold patterns for eliminating negative draft during molding

US6678097B2 · kind B2 · utility

19Cited by
5References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 8, 2001
Grant dateJan 13, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 2, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF21V7/09
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A non-planar Fresnel reflector array mold pattern and fabrication method are described which can be utilized to manufacture integral non-planar Fresnel reflector arrays which are not subject to molding inclusions. The Fresnel reflector segments comprising the mold pattern are joined at angles to one another and incorporate off-axis Fresnel segments at segment positions in which the optical axis of the segment is not sufficiently parallel to the intended pull direction of the associated mold. The focal point of each off-axis segment lies along a path that is angularly offset from the optical axis of said segment. The use of properly oriented off-axis Fresnel segments within the non-planar Fresnel array result in the elimination of molding inclusions. The mold pattern thus created may be positive or negative, and provides the three-dimensional pattern from which the final manufacturing molds or tools are created.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.